BHUBANESWAR: The state cabinet today approved several schemes in the health and drinking water sectors including the universal eye health programme with an expected expenditure of around Rs 2000 crore to cater primarily to rural population.
The eye health programme to be implemented for a period of five years from 2018-19 with estimated cost of `682 crore aims to generate a baseline data of prevalence of eye diseases in the state through a sample survey, chief secretary AP Padhi told mediapersons after the cabinet meeting.
Five lakh spectacles will be distributed to students under the programme, the chief secretary said and added that mobile eye care van will be stationed at all the 30 districts.
The cabinet approved a new scheme, ‘Strengthening of ancillary services in public health facilities’ with a budget of `550.24 crore for five years from 2018-19 to cover 1814 health institutions.
Out of the total cost, `123.88 crore will be met from the National Health Mission (NHM) fund and `426.36 crore will be provided from the state budget, Padhi said.
The chief secretary said cleaning and security services implemented in first referral units (FRUs) through outsourced units will be augmented from April 1, 2018 under the new scheme.
Subsequently, it will be further strengthened with additional services linen and laundry, lift services wherever required through fresh tendering process.
The scheme will be implemented under the overall guidance of the Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKSs), he said.
The estimated cost for provision of free diagnostic and dialysis services for all types of patients at public healh facilities will be around Rs 596.28 crore for five years.
Besides, the scheme also aims to increase minimum supply level in pipe water project from 40 litres per capital per day to 70 litres per capita per day.